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40 Cards in this Set
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Government of the people |
Being able to participate in political activity: - standing for elected office -voting in elections -being active in parties/ pressure groups - being aware - letting our political views be known Many in political democracies remain politically inactive but everyone certainly has the opportunity to participate, whether they take it or not. we can describe this aspect at participatory democracy. It is often claimed that if citizens cease to be active in politics, democracy will wither and die. |
Political rights |
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Participatory democracy |
Many in political democracies remain politically inactive but everyone certainly has the opportunity to participate, whether they take it or not. We can describe this aspect at participatory democracy. Many remain politically inactive in modern democracies. But most are politically active. It is often claimed that if citizens cease to be active in politics, democracy will wither and die. |
Having but choosing to take political participation |
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Government by the people |
- People themselves make the important decisions that affect them - We could describe this as direct democracy - an arrangement that would have a constant use of referendums or direct consultation processes - A situation where government is intensely sensitive to public opinion - In practice this would be virtually direct democracy. All democratic governments consult the people. |
Direct democracy |
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Government for the people |
Whoever governs, does so in the broad interests of the people. Government that: - are not only governing in their own interests - does not concern themselves with only one section of the community They should take into account the interests and needs of all sections of society as far as possible Direct democracy is not feasible at all times so govt for people will inevitably be carried by representatives. Therefore we speak of representative democracy as the most common form. As long as our representatives (MPs, Ministers etc) are accountable to people, we assign government to them. |
Representative democracy |
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Democracy |
- Political systems that are organised on the basis that the government should serve the interests of the people. - Government should be accountable to the people, in various ways. - In liberal democracies, it is expected that citizens should influence decisions or make decisions themselves. |
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Democracy in Greece |
Even the most direct forms of democracy where everyone gathered to make important decisions excluded women, slaves and the uneducated. It was reserved for the wealthy members of society - they were the only people considered informed enough to vote. Democracy was short lived in Greece and once it had disappeared, it did not reappear in any recognisable form until the late 18th century. |
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Importance of democracy |
- Democracy establishes and protects freedom - Democracy protects minorities - Democracy controls government power - Democracy encourages popular participation - Democracy disperses power more widely 2 and a half thousand years later, democracy has established itself as the political system preferred by all economically advanced nations. In the meantime, most people had been governed by hereditary monarchs, autocratic rulers or has not effectively been properly governed at all. |
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Democracy establishes and protects freedom |
Towards the end of the 18th century, new philosophical and political movements sprung. They believed that mankind should be free as individuals and collective nations.
French Revolution 1789 -An attempt to free people from the autocratic rule of the monarchy. -For the revolutionaries, the monarchy only ruled in the interests of itself and the aristocracy. -They wanted a new political system where the middle class and working class people were also take into account so that people were truly free. Americans during their revolution against British rule, fought to establish freedom for all individuals from the oppressive rule of George III. - A constitutional was written and approved in 1787 - It enshrined freedom of the individual in a form of government and could be described as a representative democracy - All citizens could participate and be represented. They believed their newly found freedom would be safe. Today, democracy continues to ensure that no government can threaten freedom, unless it is within the expressed consent of the people. To illustrate this: When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1990 - it's satellite states declared their freedom, most of the governments adopted democratic systems. - This guaranteed that the kind of domination that had occurred during the cold war could never re-assert itself. The 'Arab-Springs' of 2011&2012, saw the people of a number of Arab states including Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Yemen, Bahrain and Syria rising up to try and overthrow authoritarian regimes and replace them by some form of popular democracy. All these people saw democracy as a way to establish their freedom from oppression. |
French Revolution, American Revolution, Soviet Union and Arab-Springs |
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Democracy protects minorities |
- If democracy is to be an enduring and effective system, it has to take the interests and demands of minorities into account. - Democracy ensures that all groups have access to the political process, in which case it is often known as pluralist democracy. - It guarantees that minorities have a free voice and are free form discrimination. - Democracy can be described as a political system where minorities rule. - However, where democracy is reduced to 'rule by the majority', minorities are not protected. John Stuart Mill, a 19th Century philosopher called this the "tyranny of the majority". It is pluralist democracies that protect minorities, not just popular democracy. (More depth on next cards) |
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Democracy controls government power |
- It is known that power tends to corrupt those who wield it. If those who govern us are left to their won devices, there is a danger that they will gain increasing amounts of power and begin to abuse their position. - Democracy is vital in preventing this. - By making govt accountable to people, by making them regularly submit themselves to re-election and by guaranteeing that they are controlled by elected representatives, the people can feel safe from the corruption of power. - The alternative to democracy is a government that is not accountable to people, where decisions are made without reference to people and where there are no guarantees that individuals and minorities will be protected... A Dictatorship |
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Democracy encourages popular participation |
- Democracy is critical in ensuring the prevention of tyranny. - In a free democracy, people have the opportunity to become informed and be directly involved in influencing decision making. - Democracy can prevent a doctile and uninformed government from being vulnerable to autocratic government, helping to ensure that citizens remain fully involved. |
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Democracy disperses power more widely |
- When power becomes concentrated in the hands of a small number of people or organisations, it is inevitable the power is denied to a wider range of the population. - It is a severe damage to democratic principles. - For example, in many regions, power lies in the hands of a small elite, such as in Burma, Syria or China, or in the hands of those who are economically powerful, such as some small Middle Eastern states or the Sultanate of Brunei. - No matter how much good these groups/individuals mean, power has been removed from the vast majority of the population and therefore democracy will fail to flourish. When power is dispersed widely among people and non-governmental associations in what is called a civil society, democracy is well served. |
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Benefits of Democracy summary |
- establishes and protects freedom - protects minorities if it is in a pluralist form - controls govt power, preventing abuse of power - encourages popular participation - disperses power, preventing accumulations of power in too few hands |
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Ways of Political participation |
- being informed about issues - contributing to online forums or petitions - voting in various elections - joining a pressure group - taking part in physical or e-petitions - joining a political party - becoming active in a party - becoming active in a pressure group - standing for political office |
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A citizen's rights and duties |
RIGHTS: - To be a resident in the state - To vote in free elections - To stand for public office - To be treated equally under the law - To be given a fair trial if accused of crime - To enjoy the modern concept of civil liberties such as freedom of expression, association, movement, religion and thought DUTIES: - To obey the laws - To accept the legitimacy of the properly constituted government - To pay taxes - Possible join the armed forces is there is a need for conscription |
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Reasons for falling levels of Political participation |
Turnout at elections have been falling: 76% turnout in 1979 61.3% turnout in 2005 65.2% turnout in 2010 Participation in elections remains below the high levels before 1997 Party membership has been declining: 1980- membership of all parties was 1,693,156 2010 - membership of all parties was 397,000 Participation of the Conservative Party has traditionally been high but that has shockingly dropped too from 1.20million in 1980 to 0.17million in 2010 Fewer people are taking any close interest with party politics and their research material shows this too |
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How is Political Participation increasing? |
- The pressure group activity has never been higher and keeps growing - Many people are taking direct action themselves rather than relying on a party - There are large demonstrations of public opinion on the streets... e.g: anti university tuition fees campaign in 2010-2011 - There have also been a number of highly successful internet campaigns on political issues... eg: 38 Degrees claimed by February 2012 to have organised 4.6 million political actions if various kinds by its followers. Millions of citizens are engaged in fundraising, campaigning and undertaking research for thousands of pressure groups, signing petitions, writing protest letters - Participating fully in the democratic process |
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Growth of e- or digital democracy |
The Official Government site: Enables citizens to view issues and sign petitions. If a petition reaches 100,000 signatures on the site, the HofC Backbench MPs Business Committee will consider the issue for further action 38 Degrees: A voluntary site Encourages people to sign up to a variety of campaigns, writing to decision makers such as Ministers and MPs. This kind of digital democracy has brought many people into some kind of political participation. |
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How can political participation be increased? |
Make voting compulsory Like in Australia Forces citizens to become more politically aware Gives citizens 'ownership' of the outcome of elections Suggestion say that a 'none' box should be included Making voting easier Introducing text or internet voting Extending the voting period from one to several days Placing ballot stations in more accessible places, ie: supermarkets However there are obvious problems of security in electronic voting systems and there is little evidence that extending voting opportunities will help Introduction of citizenship lessons in schools More extensive use of referendums Can stimulate more interest Reduce voting age from 18 to 16 years Proposed by Scottish government Could politicise young people at an earlier age However 16-17 year olds may not be experienced enough to vote and 'a suspicion' that few such teenagers "won't bother to visit polls" But 16 year olds can be asked to pay taxes so should have an opportunity to choose the government Reform the electoral system Making more votes count Offering more choices to voters However the 2011 referendums rejection to AV has put the cause of electoral reform back by perhaps a generation of electoral reform back by perhaps a generation |
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Active Citizenship |
- Developed by Labour party circles in the 1990s - Idea: it is a duty of all citizens to be politically active, not just a right. - Citizens should engage in activity whether local, regional or national. - This would involve membership of political parties, pressure groups or other voluntary organisations Neighbourhood Watch. |
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Big Society |
A philosophy developed by David Cameron and other Conservative Party advisers. - Many of the functions of the state, largely in local government, should be replaced by local activism EXAMPLES: - Creation of free schools to be run by local community groups - Engage in environmental projects - Provide employment opportunities for the youth This can all be seen as political participation |
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Direct democracy |
A political system or circumstance where the people themselves make key political decisions. |
Flourished briefly in Ancient Athens |
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Examples of direct democracy being put into practice |
- The Coalition government in 2010 invited public participation in deciding how public expenditure might be reduced - Many local authorities regularly consult members of their community, principally on how they allocate their expenditure among various services - Some parishes in rural areas hold public meetings to discuss and decide upon small local issues... such as: provision of street lights, planning concerns and parking restrictions - After 2007, Downing Street developed a system of e-petitions whereby the Prime Minister's office accepts and responds to email campaigns that get a significant amount of support In a way we are becoming a CONSULTATIVE DEMOCRACY which is a limited kind of direct system |
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What are referendums |
- When citizens are asked to determine a question of public importance - Referendums can be binding on parliament in some countries... in the UK for example it is not as Parliament remains sovereign. However it is virtually unthinkable that the UK Parliament would go against the results of a referendum - A yes or no vote - One question posed, except from 1997 referendum to decide whether Scotland should have a devolved government When a referendum is called for by the people themselves, it's called an initiative. States in USA such as California, Colorado, Florida and Michigan are all examples.
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Initiatives |
A minimum number of genuine signatures is required to create an initiative. After this the question is put on a ballot paper Britain is edging towards the use of initiatives... E-petitions are a kind of initiative. They can only trigger a parliamentary or public debate but it could be that in the future that they could be used to change the law like some states in the US. |
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Why are referendums held? |
From 1997 onwards referendums have become more common and significant Concerned with important constitutional changes Another reason for submitting constitutional changes to a referendum is that it has the effect of entrenching changes. This means that the future governments and parliaments will not be able to reverse the changes unless the consult the people again - therefore changes will become permanent The 1975 vote on European Community membership: - Labour govt of the day was split on whether to remain a member of the EC - Prime Minister Harold Wilson ordered a referendum to settle the issue & to avoid collapse of his government - Ministers were free to oppose the official line that Britain should remain The 1998 vote to approve of an elected London mayor: - Was going to change the governance of the capital city so consent of Londoners was vital - Implied some increase in taxation, again needing consent Elected mayors had been proposed for other parts of the country: - Between 2001 & 2012, 42 votes were held... 13 were positive. - It was considered unacceptable that central govt should impose elected mayors upon communities The congestion charge votes in Edinburgh and Manchester - Was a difficult decision for local government as forces on both sides were strong - Environmentalist wanted to see a congestion charge introduced - The motoring lobby was strongly against a congestion charge - A referendum was therefore convenient/ needed The referendum on the adoption of the AV for UK general elections in May 2011 - A compromise - Torries had to agree to consider electoral reform as part of their Coalition agreement with the Liberal Democrats - Lib Dems supported more radical systems of proportional representation - Torries opposed any form of proportional representation THEREFORE THE AV VOTE WAS A COMPROMISE |
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Benefits of referendum use |
Most direct form of democracy - People's views on a particular question are clearly indicated - There isn't the confusion that's caused by politicians when they claim they are "representing public opinion" - Helps to make decisions legitimate - Confirms the principle of government by consent have demonstrated their expressed consent, they are more likely to accept the decision Referendums can prevent governments from making unpopular decisions when a 'no' vote is delivered - Eg: In 2004 when regional government was rejected by the people of North-East England to fail to resolve an issue effectively If people have demonstrated their expressed consent, they are more likely to accept the decisionReferendums can prevent governments from making unpopular decisions when a 'no' vote is delivered - Eg: In 2004 when regional government was rejected by the people of North-East EnglandThere are occasions when the government and parties in general are likely to fail to resolve an issue effectively - 1975, the Labour government and opposition (Torries) were divided on whether Britain should remain in the EC- The decisive 'yes' vote resolved this key issue A referendum effectively entrenches constitutional changes. It protects them from attacks by future governments whose policies may be only short term.- In order to reverse a referendum decision, another referendum would be needed - Eg: Scotts voted for their own parliament in 1997. Only the Scotts can undo what they did in 1997. - 1975, the Labour government and opposition (Torries) were divided on whether Britain should remain in the EC - The decisive 'yes' vote resolved this key issue There are occasions when the government and parties in general are likely to fail to resolve an issue effectively - 1975, the Labour government and opposition (Torries) were divided on whether Britain should remain in the EC- The decisive 'yes' vote resolved this key issue A referendum effectively entrenches constitutional changes. It protects them from attacks by future governments whose policies may be only short term.- In order to reverse a referendum decision, another referendum would be needed - Eg: Scotts voted for their own parliament in 1997. Only the Scotts can undo what they did in 1997. are occasions when the government and parties in general are likely to fail to resolve an issue effectively - 1975, the Labour government and opposition (Torries) were divided on whether Britain should remain in the EC- The decisive 'yes' vote resolved this key issue A referendum effectively entrenches constitutional changes. It protects them from attacks by future governments whose policies may be only short term.- In order to reverse a referendum decision, another referendum would be needed - Eg: Scotts voted for their own parliament in 1997. Only the Scotts can undo what they did in 1997. A referendum effectively entrenches constitutional changes. It protects them from attacks by future governments whose policies may be only short term. - In order to reverse a referendum decision, another referendum would be needed - Eg: Scotts voted for their own parliament in 1997. Only the Scotts can undo what they did in 1997. |
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Problems of referendum use |
Many issues may be too complex for the majority to understand and make judgement on it - Eg: issues arising from EU treaties maybe too complex for popular consideration - Many would argue that such matters should be left to our elected representatives under the guidance of experts, rather than to the mood swings of newspapers Referendums campaigns are expensive operations - Danger that one side will prevail simply because it has more resources - Money will play a decisive role - 1975 EC Referendum, the 'yes' campaign spent more money than the opposing side due to having been backed up by most businesses and their wealth People may use the referendum as a way of expressing their dissatisfaction with the government of the day - ignoring the issue all together - could be argued that the 'no' vote for AV was a vote against Lib Dems to protest their weaknesses in their dealings with their Conservative senior Coalition partners The minority that loses is not taken into account at all - Referendums leave minorities defenceless - Elected representatives however are able to weigh up the interesdt of minorities and majorities... protecting the minorities Low turnouts can make the decisions dubious - Some with as low as a 35-45% turnout rate |
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British parliamentary democracy |
Parliament is the source of all political authority - Not possible to exercise power without sanction of Parliament, even for the Prime Minister with his Prerogative powers I inherited from the Monarchy The government of the UK has to be drawn from Parliament - It's members must be from the House of Commons or House of Lords - Ensures that members of govt are made directly accountable to Parliament Government must make itself constantly accountable to Parliament - Ministers must report regularly to Parliament on the progress of policies and the results of governmental actions All citizens are represented by MPs - Interests of every constituency in the UK are represented by an MP in the House of Commons Parliament is normally the guardian of the government's electoral mandate - Parliament ensures that the mandate is not abused - If govt seeks to step outside or beyond it's mandate, it reverses the right to veto (reject) such government action Parliament is expected as a whole, to represent the national interests |
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Representative democracy in Britain |
Each MP represents a constituency - They are expected to represent their constituency as a whole and their constituents as individuals - It is a key part of the democratic system that each individual feels that there is an elected representative who will listen to their problems and injustices and if appropriate, try to resolve them Both houses are expected to act as representatives to some extent - When debates and committee hearings take place in either house, MPs and Peers express what they believe are the views and beliefs of various sections of the community However neither house can claim to be entirely representative due to: 1) Number women.... 22% in HofC and 21% in HofL AND 51% OF COUNTRY ARE WOMEN 2) Number of minority ethnic groups represented in Parliament....4% in HofC and 4% in HofL AND 8% OF WHOLE POPULATION ARE ETHNIC MINORITIES 3) 90% of HofC are university educated but ONLY 31% OF THE COUNTRY IS UNIVERSITY EDUCATED Women and minor ethnic groups are underrepresented Those with a university education are over represented - However various occupational sections of community are represented in Parliament, especially the House of Lords . - Peers have a background of Law, Medicine etc and therefore represent all these sections of Society. - Yet manual workers are underrepresented in the Commons - There is a noticeable bias towards professional backgrounds amongst MPs. - All mainstream parties in the UK try to represent the whole nation. - Now Conservatives don't only represent the middle class and Labour don't only represent working class - Now representation is based on party allegiance, not social class - People are turning to pressure groups, not parties - Pressure groups represent us precisely and accurately - Each party manifesto claims to represent the national interests - People are turning to pressure groups, not parties - Pressure groups represent us precisely and accurately - Pressure groups are seen as more effective vehicles for the demands and views of the electorate today- Media, especially newspapers represent the general public- Political leaders pay more attention to the press than was the case in the past - Pressure groups are seen as more effective vehicles for the demands and views of the electorate today - Media, especially newspapers represent the general public - Political leaders pay more attention to the press than was the case in the past |
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Relative advantages of direct democracy |
- It is the purest form of democracy - It avoids decisions being made by representatives purely in their own interests - People are becoming increasingly well informed and educated, so can make their own judgements - When there is dissatisfaction with representative institutions, people prefer to make decisions for themselves - Decisions made directly by people may now carry more authority |
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Relative advantages of representative democracy |
> Elected representatives may use superior knowledge and judgement. This avoids hasty and emotional decisions made directly by the people > Representatives and parties are able to mediate between the interests of different sections of society. Direct democracy means that the will of the majority will always prevail, making minorities vulnerable > Issues that involve such conflicting interests require complex solutions. Direct democracy tends to reduce all questions to over- simplified answers > Demands made directly by the people are often unclear and illogical. Representative democracy can make better sense of these demands and convert them into practical programmes |
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Liberal Democracy |
- Government is accountable to the people to ensure that it is attempting to act in their general interests - There are free and fair elections - There is a peaceful, orderly transfer of power from one government to the next - Losing parties accept the democratic legitimacy of winning parties - Information is freely available to the citizenry - The rights and liberties of citizens are taken into account and protected - The powers of government are controlled and limited either by law or by elected institutions or both - A variety of beliefs, opinions, cultures and lifestyles is tolerated, provided they do not threaten the security and peace of the state |
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The UK is a representative democracy |
This means that we elect officials to represent us and make decisions on our behalf. We elect MPs to represent us in parliament, councillors to represent us in our local councils and MEPs to represent us in the European Parliament. In Scotland and Wales, citizens elect MSPs and AMs to represent them in the Scottish Parliament and the Welsh Assembly. In many cities, Mayors are elected too. |
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In a direct democracy: (Such as the one which operates in ancient Athens) |
citizens vote on every issue which concerns them, This is considered unworkable in modern states and only really continues to exist in a few places, township meetings in New England for example. It does, however, remain in the form of the referendum. |
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Most recent referendums in the UK |
23rd June 2016, EU referendum to see whether the UK should leave EU or remain May 2011 - asked electorate whether they wanted to change the voting system in the UK from FPTP to AV |
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Other referendums |
1997- on whether to set up a Welsh Assembly and a Scottish Parliament with tax varying powers 1998- referendum on the Good Friday Agreement and the setting up of a Northern Irish Assembly 1998- referendum on the establishment of a Greater London Authority. We have not had referendums on joining the Euro or signing up to the Lisbon Treaty. |
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How healthy is UK democracy? |
The UK has Universal suffrage, free and fair elections, elections every five years, the rule of law and humans rights, as enshrined in the Human Rights Act. However, there are certain concerns about UK democracy. |
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How healthy is UK democracy? Elected Dictatorship: |
The Parliamentary system means that the executive have a majority in parliament and are able to force their legislative programme through. Parliamentary sovereignty means that legislation can be passed on any subject. The Prime Minister holds prerogative powers and there are concerns about the failure of Parliament to effectively curb the power of the Executive. However, our system delivers strong government. A Justice Ministry review warns against weakening prerogative powers. |
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How healthy is UK democracy? Participation crisis: |
Turnout in 2015 election was 66.1%. There are particular concerns about vote apathy amongst young people. |
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